In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with May Ku — founder of Reev, the upcoming dating app designed to move past swipes and algorithms. May talks about her background growing up in Korea, her path to Australia, and how she made the uncommon leap from a career in market research to entrepreneurship.

We get into the realities of modern dating apps — from their focus on superficial swipes to their reliance on algorithms — and why she believes authentic connection can’t be engineered that way. May shares her vision for Reev and what it takes to build something different in such a crowded space.

Whether you’re a founder curious about turning an idea into a startup, or just someone interested in where dating apps are headed, this episode offers insight into both love and entrepreneurship.

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https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Follow May and Reeve

http://www.reev.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayhyunjiku/

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with Matt Ainsworth — a startup mentor with years of experience in Asia’s innovation scene. Having lived in Japan for nearly a decade, Matt brings unique insight into the country’s startup culture, its rapid pace of development, and what Australia can learn from one of the world’s most advanced ecosystems.

We explore Matt’s journey to Japan, the cutting-edge prototypes and ideas emerging from its startup community, and where Australia has opportunities to collaborate and grow. Matt also shares his work at Tekkon, a platform that connects founders with developers, and explains why technical talent is so critical to early-stage success. From understanding the developer’s role to exploring alternative tools for founders who can’t afford one early on, this conversation is full of practical advice and global perspective.

If you’re a founder, entrepreneur, or just curious about how Asia is shaping the future of startups, this episode offers valuable lessons and fresh inspiration.

Follow Myself
https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Follow Matt

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ainsworth-35a53522b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

In this episode of The Startups Drive, I sit down with David Kenney — a legend of Australia’s startup scene, mentor, investor, and author of the best-selling book Epic Execution.

We dig into David’s journey and the story behind his book, as he shares insights on founder mindset, building the right team, and truly understanding your market and customer. We also tackle key questions every founder should ask — like what to know before starting, how to connect with your audience, and how to stay open to learning even when you think you’ve got it all figured out. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or simply rethinking your next move, this episode is packed with sharp advice, hard-earned lessons, and honest conversation.

Follow Myself
https://www.instagram.com/longhurstkieran/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-longhurst-a60959155/

Follow David

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkenneyofficial/

https://www.epicexecution.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/epic-execution/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.startwithepic.com/